PS4 Vs. Xbox One: Could Microsoft's $100 Promotion Level The Playing Field Between The Next-Gen Consoles?

Microsoft is offering $100 off its Xbox One with the trade in of a PS3 or Xbox 360. Photo: Courtesy/Sony/Microsoft

The battle of the next-gen consoles continues. Since Jan. 23, a promotion from Microsoft is offering players $100 off an Xbox One if they trade in their older PlayStation 3s and Xbox 360s. The special deal is available through March 2. Microsoft is offering the $100 in hope of leading more gamers to the Xbox One, which is available at $100 more than Sony’s next-gen PlayStation 4. To earn the credit, you must go to an official Microsoft retail store in the U.S. or Canada. The special credit isn’t available online, and the $100 is only valid toward the Xbox One.

“Microsoft’s move is really more of an acknowledgement, in my opinion anyway, that their pricing is a little out of line versus Sony’s offering,” said Dave Altavilla of Forbes. “And when you consider the fact that, graphically speaking at least, the PlayStation 4 is a more powerful system, you can see where Microsoft’s sense of urgency is coming from, beyond just the obvious leading indicator of being behind Sony in units sold at this point.”

Of course, some Sony fans believe Microsoft's campaign still won't put them ahead in the console war.

Last year, Sony’s PlayStation 4 hit shelves in North America on Nov. 15. By Dec. 28, the console had sold 4.2 million units worldwide. Sony reported the PS4 was its most successful system launch of all time.

"The momentum of the PS4 system keeps getting stronger, and we couldn't be more thrilled gamers worldwide are enjoying the incredibly immersive gaming experiences along with deep social capabilities and entertainment provided by our network," Sony President and Group CEO Andrew House said at the annual consumer electronics show in early January. "After a remarkable launch, we look forward to bringing even more exciting content and continuing to explore the power of the PS4 system by adding new features and services, including PlayStation Now, in 2014."

During the past few months, international demand for the PlayStation 4 seemed to be gradually outpacing Microsoft’s Xbox One, which launched in 13 countries on Nov. 22. Though Microsoft is selling well in the U.S. market, global buyers seem to prefer Sony’s latest endeavor. After launch, both systems found immediate success, with the Xbox One and PS4 selling 1 million units within 24 hours.

Could this deal level the playing field with between both next-gen consoles? Leave a comment below.